Misamis Oriental among ‘areas of immediate concern’

MANILA, Philippines - Misamis Oriental has been placed under the cluster of “areas of immediate concern” following the New People’s Army (NPA) ambush of Gingoog City Mayor Ruth Guingona.

Commission on Elections (Comelec) Chairman Sixto Brillantes Jr. said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has included the province among the areas being monitored in preparation for the May 13 elections.

“Intense political rivalry and presence of armed group like the NPA are the reasons for considering Misamis Oriental as areas of immediate concern,” he said.

Special Investigation Task Force Guingona is taking the depositions of witnesses for filing of charges against the perpetrators.

Brillantes said he has asked the PNP to change the label from hotspots or high-risk and qualify the level of concerns.

“The label should be areas of concern, areas of immediate concern, areas of grave concern and areas under Comelec control,” he said.

Brillantes said the 15 provinces tagged as “high-risk areas” are those where election-related violence are likely to take place.

Seven more provinces are likely to be added to the list of areas of concern, including Sulu, where there is intense political rivalry among candidates, Brillantes said.

Earlier, four more provinces – Ilocos Norte in Luzon, Northern Samar in Visayas and Sulu and Zamboanga del Norte, both in Mindanao – are likely to be added to the list of areas considered “high risk” or where violence is likely to erupt due to intense political rivalry during the May 2013 elections.

Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr., PNP spokesman, said police in coordination with other government agencies are conducting a thorough assessment of the situation in the four provinces before any decision will be made.

Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II said the PNP used the records in the peace and order situation during the 2010, 2007 and 2004 elections to get systematic details to help prepare security for the May elections.

Eastern Samar Rep. Ben Evardone and his cousin Javier Zacate have been issued an ultimatum for their supposed crimes against the people.

In a statement, Fr. Santiago Salas, National Democratic Front (NDF) Eastern Visayas spokesman, said Evardone and Zacate were enriching themselves through criminal activities.